The Notebook Fan
Christmas Gift Guide: New notebook PCs to top your wishlist
We round up the latest laptops so you can keep in touch with friends and family while on the go
You probably already have a notebook computer — an old one which you curse at every time it freezes, just when your about to open up a funny e-mail from one of your mates. Or perhaps your partner needs a new notebook PC so they can keep in touch with friends and family. Have you considered a budget-priced netbook for the kids? They are light and tough, yet perfect to take the rough and tumble of the schoolyard!
Overall our selection of notebooks focuses on 13in, 15in and 17in models — and many of them are our personal favourites. We've also included some netbooks that we think you will love plus some stylish slimline laptops too.
If you're in the market for a new laptop and are wondering when the best time is to buy — the answer is "now"! Most retailers say it won't make a big price difference if you buy now or wait until the post-Christmas sales. If you haven't already started shopping for a Christmas bargain then check out our guide to some good buys!
Fujitsu LifeBook T5010
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Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 tablet PC
If you're on the lookout for a notebook that can be used as a tablet, then the Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 is about as good as it gets. It's fast, very well built and has one of the most responsive and accurate touch screens we've tested. The only downsides are its non-powered USB 2.0 ports and the inclusion of a PC Card slot instead of an ExpressCard/54 slot.
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Apple MacBook (late 2009)
Apple's entry-level MacBook improves on its predecessor by offering an upgraded, LED-backlit display, a unibody enclosure and a glass, multitouch trackpad. The glossy display is inferior to the screen on the MacBook Pro model of the same size, and the lack of FireWire and cramped USB ports will pose problems for some users. However, given its price point, the new MacBook comes recommended.
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MSI Wind 12 U200 netbook
The MSI Wind 12 U200 is bigger and more powerful than a typical netbook, yet it's still small and easy to travel with. We love its keyboard, its battery life is good and its CPU is relatively powerful. Our main complaint is that it's a top-heavy unit, so firm knocks can make it topple backwards, especially when using it on your lap.
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The Dell Inspiron 1545 notebook
There's nothing spectacular about the Dell Inspiron 1545 notebook -- until you take its price into account. With an RRP of just $999, it's one of the best-value all purpose notebooks we've tested.
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Acer Aspire One AOD250 (ZG8) netbook with Telstra Next G
The Aspire One AOD250 (ZG8) with an integrated Next G module is one of the best netbooks on the market. The integrated 3G module means there are no dongles hanging off it, and the overall build quality and style of the netbook is superb. We recommend it for anyone who wants a small laptop to get online anywhere and anytime.
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Sony VAIO VGN-NW15G notebook
Sony's VAIO VGN-NW15G notebook looks good and is comfortable to use for the most part. It has specifications powerful enough for image and video editing, and it is a great mid-sized laptop for users who want something that's stylish yet functional and affordable.
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HP Mini 5101 netbook
The HP Mini 5101 feels more like a regular laptop than a netbook and this is because of its sturdy construction, relatively good speed and excellent keyboard design. Not only that, it looks good and it has a 1366x768 screen. There really isn't too much wrong with this netbook at all, and we think it's probably the best netbook currently available on the market.
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HP Mini 5101 netbook
The HP Mini 5101 feels more like a regular laptop than a netbook and this is because of its sturdy construction, relatively good speed and excellent keyboard design. Not only that, it looks good and it has a 1366x768 screen. There really isn't too much wrong with this netbook at all, and we think it's probably the best netbook currently available on the market.
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ASUS U80V notebook
The Asus U80V is an above-average all-purpose notebook with some interesting bells and whistles up its sleeve. For the asking price, it provides a rock-solid performance.
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Toshiba Satellite U500 notebook (PSU5EA-00X012)
Toshiba's Satellite U500 is a great laptop that doesn't make any compromises when it comes to features and performance. It's also very well priced. Above all, it's comfortable to use, looks good and is solidly built. You can't go past it if you're looking for something small and usable for under $2000.
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Toshiba Satellite U500 notebook (PSU5EA-00X012)
Toshiba's Satellite U500 is a great laptop that doesn't make any compromises when it comes to features and performance. It's also very well priced. Above all, it's comfortable to use, looks good and is solidly built. You can't go past it if you're looking for something small and usable for under $2000.
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Acer Aspire Timeline 4810T notebook
This ultraportable Acer notebook should offer more than enough power, as long as you aren't planning to play recent games or edit videos, and it has an excellent collection of features (including 802.11n Wi-Fi). For students or business users who don't want to shell out for a more powerful ultraportable laptop but want something that's more feature-packed than a netbook, we think it's perfect.
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HP ProBook 4510s Notebook PC (VA033PA)
We like the looks, performance and user-friendliness of the HP ProBook 4510s Notebook PC (VA033PA), as well as its competitive price. We think it's a great choice for any business user (particularly an accountant) who wants something that isn't a typical, drab-looking business notebook.
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HP Pavilion dv7 2022tx notebook
If you're looking for a stylish notebook to replace your space-hogging PC, the HP Pavilion dv7 2022tx is a good choice. It looks good, it's comfortable to use, it performed well in our tests, and has a lot of connectivity options.
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Dell Vostro 1720 notebook
The Dell Vostro 1720 is a well-rounded machine and should suit any business user who wants large notebook with a high resolution display instead of a space-hogging PC and monitor setup. Don't bank on it for good 3D graphics performance though.
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Lenovo ThinkPad T400 6473TBM
It might not look pretty, but the Lenovo ThinkPad T400 6473TBM sure feels good to use. You should definitely consider it if you want a laptop that will be comfortable to use either on the road or in the office and you don't need a lot of speed for taxing tasks.